About Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament · West Point, Virginia
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (OLBS) is a Roman Catholic parish in West Point, Virginia, a small tidewater town between Richmond and Williamsburg on the Middle Peninsula. Founded in 1918 as the parish of St. Theresa's to serve an early-twentieth-century influx of Polish Catholic families drawn by the paper mill and shipyards, the parish has grown into a vibrant Eucharistic community of about 220 families from King William, King and Queen, and surrounding counties, with strong Vietnamese and Hispanic communities. Today the parish offers Mass in English and Spanish, a parochial preschool, Eucharistic adoration, and a wide range of ministries — all under the pastoral care of the Diocese of Richmond. Its current brick church, dedicated in 1968, is notable for its 12 stained-glass windows designed by a pastor and crafted by parishioners whose names are baked into the glass.
- Established
- 1918
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
- Rector
- Rev. Jose Arje Flestado
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
OLBS is a small-town parish with a deep, multicultural history rooted in early-20th-century Polish immigrant families, later enriched by Vietnamese refugees sponsored in 1975 and now a growing Hispanic community celebrated with a monthly Spanish Mass. Parishioners can pray before the Blessed Sacrament in daily adoration at the Mercy Center Chapel, participate in Bible study, Vacation Bible School, RCIA, youth ministry, the bell choir and cantors, and serve the community through the Good Neighbor Center food pantry, the OLBS Preschool, and the Parish Council. The Father van den Boogaard Hall, original 1927 bell, and handcrafted stained-glass windows make OLBS a uniquely personal house of worship, and its 220-family community offers a tight-knit, family-friendly Catholic home in the Middle Peninsula.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Monday 1:00 – 9:00 p.m., Mercy Center Chapel
- Tuesday 1:00 – 9:00 p.m., Mercy Center Chapel
- Wednesday 1:00 – 9:00 p.m., Mercy Center Chapel
- Friday 5:30 p.m. Mass followed by Rosary and Adoration
- First Friday Exposition and Benediction 5:30 p.m. in the Church (followed by Holy Hour)
Welcome & Mission
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a 100+-year-old Eucharistic parish in West Point, Virginia, serving about 220 families in King William and King and Queen Counties. The parish's stated mission is centered in the Eucharist: to love God and His people and to extend His love to others through service and prayer.
- Mission statement: 'to love God and His people, and to extend His love to others through service and prayer.'
- Greeting on homepage: 'Peace Be With You.'
Our Story — A Parish History
OLBS traces its roots to 1906, when a small frame mission church called St. Theresa's was built on 13th Street by local Catholic men with the help of Bishop Augustine Van de Vyver. Early-twentieth-century Polish Catholic families drawn by the paper mill and shipyards settled nearby Port Richmond, and in August 1918 the mission became a full parish with the Rev. Ceslaus Jakubowski ('Father Jack') as founding pastor. Father Jack served 43 years until his death on July 20, 1961. The parish marked its 100th Foundation Anniversary on November 18, 2018 with Bishop Barry Knestout.
- 1906 — St. Theresa's Mission Church built on 13th Street in West Point
- 1918 — Parish formally established; Father Ceslaus J. Jakubowski ('Father Jack') appointed first pastor
- 1925 — White frame Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church built at King William Ave & West Euclid Blvd
- 1927 — Bell from a local barn donated and installed; still rings today
- 1931 — Parochial school and convent built; Sisters of Mercy of Baltimore teach ~90 students/year
- 1938 — Church of St. Therese the Little Flower built in Gloucester as a mission
- 1960 — Original St. Theresa's church closes
- 1968 — Parochial school closes; current brick church dedicated November 17, 1968
- 1975 — Parish sponsors 15 Vietnamese refugees
- 1998 — Old school renovated under Fr. Jim Arsenault for OLBS Preschool and the Good Neighbor Center
- November 18, 2018 — 100th Foundation Anniversary Mass with Bishop Knestout
Our Church Building
The current brick church was designed by then-pastor Father Henry van den Boogaard, M.S.F., a Dutch-born Missionary of the Holy Family. Construction began in November 1967 and the building was dedicated on November 17, 1968, on the parish's 50th anniversary. The crowning feature is the set of 12 stained-glass windows (six panels each, depicting New Testament events), handcrafted by approximately 30 parishioners over about eight months; the workers' names are baked into the glass. The altar crucifix and the wooden statues of St. Joseph and Mary were carved by the Lang brothers of Oberammergau, Germany, friends of the benefactor who had each portrayed Christ in the Passion Play. The 1927 bell still hangs in the current brick bell tower.
- Designed by Fr. Henry van den Boogaard, M.S.F.
- Construction began November 1967; dedicated November 17, 1968
- 12 stained-glass windows with 6 panels each, depicting New Testament events
- Windows created by ~30 parishioners; their names are baked into the glass
- Altar crucifix and wooden statues of Joseph and Mary carved by the Lang brothers of Oberammergau, Germany
- Original 1927 bell still in the brick bell tower
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
OLBS offers a full schedule of weekend, daily, and Holy Day Masses, including a Spanish Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, a monthly Senior Mass, and daily Mass available nearby at the Bethlehem Monastery of the Poor Clares in Barhamsville.
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday — 9:00 a.m.
- Spanish Mass — 1st & 3rd Sundays, 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday–Thursday — 8:30 a.m.
- Friday — 5:30 p.m., followed by Rosary and Adoration
- Senior Mass — 3rd Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., followed by Senior Luncheon at 11:45 a.m.
- Holy Day — 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Bethlehem Monastery of the Poor Clares — Daily Mass 8:00 a.m.
Sacraments
OLBS prepares parishioners for all the sacraments. Baptisms require parent preparation classes scheduled through the Coordinator of Christian Formation. Couples must contact the pastor at least six months before their wedding. RCIA is offered for adults seeking reception into the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — preparation classes required; contact Erin Hayden at ext. 103
- Marriage — pastor contacted at least 6 months in advance; OLBS preparation program
- Reconciliation — Friday 6–7 p.m. or by appointment
- First Communion / Confirmation — through Christian Formation
- Anointing of the Sick / 'A Visit with Father' — call the church office
- Reception into the Church / RCIA — contact the Parish Office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Coordinator of Christian Formation, Erin Hayden, oversees the parish's faith-formation programs, including Sunday School for children, Youth Ministry, RCIA for adults, Tuesday-afternoon Bible study (currently working through the Book of Genesis), and the annual Vacation Bible School — in recent years held in late July with a different annual theme.
- Coordinator of Christian Formation: Erin Hayden
- Sunday School (seasonal, runs through early May)
- Youth Ministry
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Tuesday afternoon Bible study (4:45 p.m. fellowship, 5:00 p.m. start) in the parish hall
- Vacation Bible School (annually in July)
OLBS Preschool & Good Neighbor Center
The former parochial school and convent have been creatively re-purposed for parish mission. In 1998, then-pastor Fr. Jim Arsenault oversaw renovation of the school building into the OLBS Preschool and the Good Neighbor Center, which operates a food pantry and clothing closet for the neediest local residents. The convent was also renovated and renamed the Mercy Center, where the parish offices are now located.
- OLBS Preschool / Before & After-School Program — Vangy Lawson, Director/Teacher, (804) 843-4177
- Good Neighbor Center — food pantry and clothing closet
- Mercy Center — renovated convent, houses parish offices
Music & Liturgy
Music at OLBS is led by Music Director Mary Jackson. Liturgical music is supported by a bell choir and a cantors/choir group, with parish members volunteering as cantors, bell ringers, altar servers, and sacristans. The Liturgy Committee, chaired by Deacon Kevin McKeever, coordinates liturgical life.
- Music Director — Mary Jackson, (757) 515-8398
- Bell Choir & Cantors/Choir
- Altar Servers — Ginger Chwalowski
- Sacristan — Joe Drexler
- Altar Linens
- Arts & Environment
- Liturgy Committee — Deacon Kevin McKeever, chair
Parish Life & Ministries
Parishioners are invited to join any of OLBS's many lay ministries, from governance (Parish Council, Finance Committee) to community life (Hospitality, Senior Luncheon) to hands-on service (Lawn Mowing, Cleaning, Cemetery Committee, Justice & Peace, Knit Purl & Pray, Hispanic Ministry). The Parish Council is chaired by Tiffany Smith and the Finance Committee by Richard Duke.
- Parish Council — Tiffany Smith, chair
- Finance Committee — Richard Duke, chair
- Hispanic Ministry — Nanci Hernandez & Jose Velasquez
- Hospitality — Glenn & Kay Shaw
- Justice & Peace
- Knit, Purl & Pray
- Lawn Mowing Committee — Eric Ellingson
- Parish Library — Linda Drexler
- Office Volunteers
- Senior Mass & Senior Luncheon (3rd Wednesday)
Father van den Boogaard Hall & Facilities
The Father van den Boogaard Hall — the parish hall named for the Dutch-born pastor who designed the church — is available for rent for receptions, parties, or conferences. Hall rentals are coordinated by Paul Severance. The Facilities Committee oversees maintenance under Eric Ellingson. The hall itself was lengthened by 45 feet and finished by Father van den Boogaard from a former structure known as the Pamunkey Tea Room; one of his paintings is permanently displayed in the main hall.
- Hall Rentals — Paul Severance, (703) 283-8686
- Facilities Committee — Eric Ellingson, chair
- Building history — renovated by Fr. van den Boogaard from the Pamunkey Tea Room
Cemeteries & Prison Ministry
OLBS oversees two parish cemeteries — St. Theresa's Cemetery and St. John of Kanti's Cemetery — both contactable through the parish office. The parish also maintains a Prison Ministry to the Lunenburg Correctional Center.
- St. Theresa's Cemetery
- St. John of Kanti's Cemetery
- Cemetery Committee — Terry Frederick, chair
- Prison Ministry — Lunenburg Correctional Center
Clergy & Staff
OLBS is led by Pastor Rev. Jose Arje Flestado, supported by Permanent Deacon Rev. Dr. Kevin McKeever (who also serves as Liturgical Director). The pastoral and administrative team includes coordinators of Christian formation, music, business, and the preschool, plus two administrative assistants.
- Pastor — Rev. Jose Arje Flestado, (804) 843-3125 ext. 102; rectory (804) 843-4231
- Permanent Deacon & Liturgical Director — Rev. Dr. Kevin McKeever, (973) 983-0511
- Coordinator of Christian Formation — Erin Hayden, ext. 103
- Music Director — Mary Jackson, (757) 515-8398
- Administrative Assistant — Pam Watkins, ext. 101
- Administrative Assistant — Cora Hackenburg, ext. 101
- Business Manager — Bob Ryalls, ext. 104
- Preschool Teacher/Director — Vangy Lawson, (804) 843-4177
- Hall Rentals — Paul Severance, (703) 283-8686
Bethlehem Monastery of the Poor Clares
Just up the road in Barhamsville (New Kent County), the cloistered Poor Clares of Bethlehem Monastery offer daily Mass at 8:00 a.m. The monastery chapel is open daily for prayer, and OLBS directs parishioners there when the parish priest is unavailable. Sister Mary Charitas of Bethlehem Monastery celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2026 with Bishop Knestout.
- Daily Mass — 8:00 a.m. at the Monastery
- Chapel open daily for prayer
- Location — 5500 Holly Fork Rd, Barhamsville, VA 23011
- Phone — 757-566-1684
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email. New parishioners are asked to register at the Parish Office in the Mercy Center. 'A Visit with Father' can be scheduled by calling the church office.
- Parish Office — 207 W. Euclid Boulevard, West Point, VA 23181
- Telephone — (804) 843-3125
- Fax — (804) 843-9158
- Email — [email protected]
- Office Hours — Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Website — http://www.olbs-catholic.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. Ceslaus J. Jakubowski ('Father Jack')1918–1961
Founding pastor; born in Poland 1890; Notre Dame graduate; served 43 years; built St. Theresa's, the frame OLBS church, and the parochial school and convent.
- Rev. Fr. Julius Cilinski
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. James Rizer
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. Langmire Speight
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. John Riordan
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. Adolph Snella
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. Danfred Stockert
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. Austin Ryder
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. Leonard Kronkowski
Assistant priest under Father Jack.
- Rev. Fr. L. Joseph Baran1961–1965
Took over after Father Jack's death; first as Administrator, then Pastor; raised about $20,000 toward a new church building and rectory.
- Rev. Fr. Henry van den Boogaard, M.S.F.1965–1978
Dutch-born Missionary of the Holy Family; WWII Dutch Underground veteran; designed the present church and stained-glass windows; remodeled the rectory; led sponsorship of 15 Vietnamese refugees in 1975. The parish hall bears his name.
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Toretto1978–1984
Pastor.
- Rev. Fr. J. Scott Duarte1984–1987
Pastor.
- Rev. Fr. Robert Warren1987–1996
Pastor.
- Rev. Fr. John Brieffies1996–2015
Long-serving pastor.
- Rev. Fr. James Arsenault1996–2000
Associate or parochial vicar during Father Brieffies' pastorate.
- Rev. Fr. Charles Fisher2000
Parochial vicar.
- Rev. Fr. Gregory Kandt2000–2001
Administrator.
- Rev. Fr. Edward C. Moran2001–2005
Pastor.
- Rev. Msgr. Walter Barrett2005
Administrator.
- Very Rev. Fr. Russell E. Smith2005–2006
Pastor.
- Rev. Fr. Leo Guarnieri2006–2009
Administrator.
- Rev. Fr. Edgar B. Cleofe2009–2014
Pastor.
- Rev. Mr. James W. Conklin2012–2014
Permanent Deacon during Fr. Cleofe's pastorate.
- Rev. Fr. Julio Buena2014–2016
Pastor.
- Rev. Fr. Oscar Paraiso2016–present (per parish history page)
Celebrated the 100th Foundation Anniversary Mass on Nov 18, 2018 with Bishop Knestout.